Is This Ski Destination Hokkaido's Hidden Gem?

Seek out the picturesque sights of Hokkaido, while enjoying the comforts of a sanctuary to call your own at Yu Kiroro, a new luxury condominium.

Niseko may be Japan's most popular ski destination in Hokkaido. Beyond the well-trodden slopes of the snow capital however, there is a nearby resort town ski enthusiasts should flock to—Kiroro, a locale that Thai developer Property Perfect hopes to grow. Nestled on the western slopes of Mount Asari in Hokkaido, it’s also the site of Yu Kiroro, the property group’s first project in Japan.

Located an hour’s drive from Sapporo and a 100-minute journey from the New Chitose Airport in Hokkaido, the resort town is easily accessible to international visitors. Piste conditions are also generally optimal on most days during ski season from December to mid-April, with the snow depth in Kiroro averaging around 21m annually (compared to other neighbouring areas that range around 19m); its beginner-friendly ski slopes make the destination family-friendly too.

New luxury property Yu Kiroro is strategically located right next to the ski slopes

The Niisa bell at the peak of Mount Asari and other locations within Kiroro were featured in the Thai film One Day

Piste conditions in the area are generally optimal on most days during ski season from December to mid-April

Besides skiers and snowboarders in the know, interest in the area has been heightened after the release of popular Thai film One day in 2016; the romantic drama was shot on site at Kiroro. This fortuitous timing coincided with the recent hotel renovation of The Kiroro and the adjacent Sheraton Hokkaido Kiroro Resort, which were bought over by the developer in 2012 from the Yamaha Corporation.

The modernised interiors are part of Property Perfect’s ongoing redevelopment plans for the area, with the goal of turning it into a flourishing lifestyle destination as well as the future site of luxury vacation homes. Yu Kiroro is the first of such vacation abodes in the area, strategically located beside the ski slopes of Kiroro. Due for completion by the end of 2019, the condominium complex comprises 108 freehold units, with apartment types ranging from one to three-bedrooms as well as the penthouse.

The cigar room at Yu Kiroro, which looks over panoramic views of the nearby mountains

Amenities within the property include indoor and outdoor onsens (pictured above), as well as a gym, lounge area, and family-friendly rooms that are accessible only to residents and their guests.

The living area of the penthouse apartment at Yu Kiroro

The spacious dining area of the penthouse apartment at Yu Kiroro

The interior scheme of the Yu Kiroro apartments pairs Alpine style with elements of Japanese design and craftsmanship

Amenities within the property include an exclusive ski centre and owner’s club accessible only to residents and their guests. Other facilities include an all-day restaurant, indoor and outdoor onsens as well as a gym, lounge area, family-friendly rooms and a play area for children. Homeowners will also be able to utilise the facilities at the nearby hotels, which include over a dozen cafes and restaurants at the two hotels.

This holistic experience takes chief priority in the development of the area. “We want the whole family to enjoy the Kiroro experience,” explains Benjamin Lam, president and representative director of Kiroro Resort Holdings. “For instance, we plan to expand the onsen into a spa that provides services such as facials, massages and body scrubs.”

The developer plans to invest nearly 100 billion yen (approximately S$1.24 billion) in this project, with more ski runs, amenities as well as hotels and residential developments to be gradually built in the next 10 to 15 years.